A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 45

Author: Murray, Louise Welles, 1854-1931. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Athens, Penna. [i.e., Pa.] : [s.n.]
Number of Pages: 726

USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > Athens > A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania > Part 45

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The ground Oct. 26. A rainy night, last night. Squalls of snow this morning. covered and timber loaded. Squalls continue all Day. *

27. Cloudy morning. At the close of the month I was threshing and cleaning my hemp seed. Cloudy, wet weather. *

Nov'b'r, 1790. About the 9th of the month. I cut my grass, second crop.

9th. This day McAlhoe began to lay up his house. I am picking corn.

14 Nov'b'r, 1790. I stayed at Bakers' last night. the Indians I hear are arriving at the point to attend the treaty. I crossed the River. I find my hay is not taken care of. this is a wet Day.

15. I was at work taking care of potatoes, pulling turnips, &c. this night the Indians had a dance at the Council House at the point.

17. I was carting pumpkins, taking care of potatoes, pulling and cutting turnips. * *

18. Sat off for Wyoming. Left Matthewson's in the afternoon in a canoe. Pas- sengers, Mrs. Yarrington, Mrs. Kinney, and Messrs. Brockway, Asa Stephens, and Wm. Bidlack. Made several stops. Reached Joseph Earl's about 3 in the morning.

19th Nov', 1790. I left Joseph Earl's about 7 in the morning, took breakfast at Mr. Bidlack's, stayed at Samuel Daily's. Sold the canoe at 3 Doll's to pay a debt for Isaac Moss. * Reached Wilkesbarre about 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

20th. Was about Wilkesbarre.

21. Went to Nanticoke. Stayed at Mrs. Hurlbut's.

22. Went to Major Alden's, returned to Wilkes Barre.

24. * *

** Went to Capt. Bidlack's and to Mrs. Rogers. returned to Wilkes- barre.

25th. This day I was about the town of Wilkesbarre and at evening followed the example of good old Jacob. I took me a wife and may the Lord send Jacob's blessing.

26th. Went to Nanticoke in the afternoon and to Newport and stayed at Alden's.

Nov'b'r 29, 1790. This morning

* * the snow about 4 inches deep In the afternoon * went to Mr. Bidlack's, agreed with him for passage to Tioga in his boat. Returned to Wilkesbarre in the evening. * *

28th. * I went to Mr. Sam'l Allen's to see Daniel Ross and returned to Wilkesbarre. Major Jenkins comes this evening. I spent the evening at Yarrington's, with Col'o Spalding, Major Jenkins, Miller, Welles, Cobb, &c.

Many daily entries have been omitted,relating only to farm work; they show that Franklin was a very vigorous man, not in the least broken by his imprisonment, of which he always spoke lightly as "re- siding in Philadelphia," etc.

The middle of these diaries is missing. We wish Franklin had written an account of the treaty, but no doubt his wedding day was too near ; nor was he desirous of meeting his old foe Pickering. How frankly simple the announcement of his marriage. Evidently he had a stag party on the 28th at Yarrington's, near where he was arrested. No doubt it was a jubilee. He mentions many names unknown as

329

HOLLENBACK'S STORE AND COMPETITORS

among the pioneers. Poling up the river in late November must have been a rather chilly wedding journey. He gives no account of a home prepared for the new wife and their two families of children; it must have been the little log house built by Patterson, for his frame house was not erected until 1799.24

Hollenback's store was the first, and for some time the only store on the Point. The settlers along the river were further furnished with goods by an enterprising youth, Jacob Lowman, who finally made a set- tlement near Wellsburg, still called Lowmansville. He might be called a river hawker and peddler. Of German parentage, and blessed with a spirit of enterprise worthy of his ancestors, Jacob, when only nineteen, in 1788, embarked in a trading enterprise, and invested his entire for- tune in a stock of goods which he loaded into a Durham boat (capacity twenty tons), and with three comrades or helpers started from Middle- town to Tioga Point, a two weeks' journey, as it proved. Arriving here, what a sensation it must have created! The vicinity of our present Museum-Library seems to have been for years the starting and stop- ping point of all boating parties. Therefore, in spite of its proximity to the only store in the settlement, it may be well imagined that it was there on the river bank that traffic was begun. Lowman's stock of pro- visions, tobacco, clothes, muskets, ammunition, chains, axes, hardware ; and, in fact, every sort of supply of the times, was speedly exchanged for grain, flax, hemp and peltries at better rates than offered at the store. Little or no money was seen. After his stock was exhausted, the boat was reloaded with the exchanges; and, though on this return voyage it was capsized and the cargo lost, the young trader was un- daunted. He soon had another supply of goods ready, and started again on the up voyage. This traffic he pursued for four years, and his gains were large, he going each year a little farther into the wilderness. In 1792 he settled permanently in the valley, although he still pursued the river trade, and invested his large profits in land.

David Alexander It is impos- sible to decide when David Alexander25 and Samuel Hepburn, the next merchants, came to Tioga Point. Alexander is said to have come at an early day as clerk for Matthias Hollenback, but the

24 The following record appears to have been copied from John Franklin's Bible, "John Franklin b Sept 26, 1749; married Feb 2 Wed. 1774 Lydia Doolittle b Aug 13 1751 and on Wednesday the 9th left Canaan and removed to Plymouth on Susgh. River. Billa Franklin b. Nov 3, 1774; Amos Franklin b June 4 1776; Keziah Franklin b April 11 1778. Wyoming cut off by Savages and tories July 3, 1778-Lydia the wife of John Franklin died of small pox at Windsor, Bucks county Nov 17, 1778 about sunset. Amos Franklin died at Cayuga Village 11 Oct. 1804. John Franklin (My father) died at Canaan Aug 20 1800, Aged 84." Col. Frank- lin's second wife had four children by her first husband, Capt. James Bidlack; to wit, Sally, Stephen, Hetty and James. All married, the daughters moving away, although Hetty is sup- posed to have been the mother of the first wife of Henry Welles. The sons married here, and there are numerous descendants in the valley. Mrs. Franklin, 2nd, was Abigail Fuller, daugh- ter of Stephen Fuller, who lived and died at Sheshequin. The only descendants of Col. Franklin now in this vicinity are the children of the late Mrs. Z. F. Walker.

25 David Alexander, son of Hugh, son of John, son of Thomas, was of Scotch ancestry, Thomas being a leading man in his Scotch home "from 1710 and upward." John, born near Glasgow, emigrated thence to Ireland about 1725, and emigrated to America with the multi- tude of Ulstermen in 1736, and eventually settled near Chambersburg, Pa. He was married in

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

examination of the Hollenback papers show that is untrue. John Alex- ander was clerk at a later period, 1797, but he undoubtedly was one of the Wilkes-Barre family. There are few records of Samuel Hepburn, except the transfers of land ; and there is no mention of David Alexan- der in certified records until 1790, when Hepburn sold to him most of his property at the Point. Hepburn came from Milton, Pa., and re- turned there eventually. It is a matter of family record, however, that Alexander found a wife at Tioga Point, and that the date of their mar- riage was 1788. Also that the oldest child, Hugh Alexander, was born at Tioga Point in 1789. But no record or hint is found of him before 1790. Nor was he the clerk of the Athens Academical Association, that was Guy Maxwell.

Unquestionably David Alexander, "Yeoman," as he is named in deeds, was one of the most enterprising and successful business men of "Old Tioga Point," as eventually he became the most extensive land owner, except John Shepard. We assume that he had some resources of his own, and that at first he was associated with Hepburn, as in- dicated in a quit claim deed given February 2, 1795, for a consideration of £50, by Hepburn to Alexander. This deed is very interesting be- cause it enumerates, locates and describes the various properties :

"1 The Island opposite the present dwelling of Hepburn. 2 Ten acre lot near point of Tioga conveyed to Hepburn by Mrs Platner. 3 House lot in Athens where Henry Mckinney lives. 4 Lot no 34 whereon my distillery stands with stills. 5 Lot 35 mny store lot, 6 Lot 36 my homestead lot, 7 Lot no 37 with Hepburn residence, houses buildings and improvements-Hepburn agrees to obtain Pennsylvania title for Island or forfeit 100£."

There are two of these lists, which indicate that Alexander con- tracted for the property in 1790, and closed transaction 1795. Hepburn did not possess all the island, which was in five separate lots under Connecticut survey ; and Alexander purchased them one by one. He also purchased all the land from lot No. 27, south, to the old Ferry Road, east of Main Street. The store he erected himself, and the horse grist mill. 4 to 7 extended from the old G. A. Perkins' prop- erty to the E. H. Perkins' property. No earlier Pennsylvania title to

Scotland to Margaret Glosson, and his son Hugh was born in Glasgow in 1724. About 1758 Hugh, who had become an extensive land owner, settled in Sherman Valley, Pa., on a farm of 1100 acres, also owning land on the North Branch of the Susquehanna. He was chosen Deputy to the Provincial Conference, held in Carpenter's Hall in June, 1776; also a member of the Constitutional Convention and of the Assembly the same year, showing that he was a man of ability and prominence. He married Martha, daughter of Dr. David Edmiston, and David, their second son, was born in 1760. After his father's death he inherited evidently some of the Susquehanna lands, as he had 163 acres in Cumberland County, where he was made a freeman in 1785. About 1788 he married Margaret, daughter of William Miller of Athens. Ten children were born to them at Tioga Point: Hugh, Edith, William, Margaret. Matthew, Samuel, John, David, Cyrus, Arospo. About 1810 to '12, after a residence of at least twenty years at Tioga Point, the family removed to Shiloh, Illinois, forming what was long called "the Alexander Settlement." Cyrus emigrated to California in 1837, married a Spanish lady, obtained a large tract of land from the Spanish government, and lived the life of a Mexican grandee until the annexation of California made him once more an American citizen. Hugh returned to Athens for his bride in 1812, Hannah, daughter of Julius Tozer; and their long wedding journey was nearly all made by water; down the Susquehanna in a keel boat, across the mountains, then down the Ohio in a flat boat, and up the Mississippi to Caholia Landing, where Hugh had built a home on his "section" of land. David Alexander belonged to the Frontier Rangers during the last years of the Revolutionary war; quite pos- sibly, therefore, he was in the Hartley Expedition. He was killed by lightning in 1822, leav- ing a numerous posterity, one of whom is the wife of the well known Thomas Edison. (For data for above we are indebted to Hugh, son of Julius Tozer Alexander, son of Hugh, son of David, of Geneva, Ill.) Eliza, Mary Ann, Lydia, Caroline, Tenny and Jane T. Alexander, children, possibly descendants of David, were baptized in the Athens Presbyterian Church, January 25th, 1820.

331

HEPBURN AND ALEXANDER

the island has ever been discovered. Between the lots Nos. 34 and 35 was the first street, already mentioned. Presumably this was opened by Samuel Hepburn, who is supposed to have built the grist mill and dis- tillery afterwards owned by Alexander, the first of the six distilleries on the Point. The well, of which Mrs. Perkins speaks, is still in use ; the mill was on the river bank. Walker says Hepburn built a house and store on the lot now known as bridge lot, on the Chemung. This may have been after he sold to Alexander, but Alexander locates the Hepburn homestead lot where the Maurice residence now stands. Hep- burn had a tavern license here in 1790, and in 1792 he and Guy Max- well had one together; possibly the tavern was Hollenback's store, which was now rented to Maxwell. In 1796 Hepburn removed to El- mira, he and Maxwell having two years earlier purchased and laid out a tract of land on the site of present Elmira, then called Dewittsburgh. It should have been noted that in 1791 William Harris of Herkimer County (evidently of the early Harris family), sold to Hepburn for £80 a certain lot "whereon Samuel Harris now lives with buildings and improvements, also his right and title in the Island."

This deed is unusual because no other has been found thus worded, mentioning both Connecticut and Pennsylvania claims, viz. :

"I engage to warrant and defend the house and lot on the point unto Hepburn forever under the Connecticut Title, likewise engage to give him peaceable possession. Likewise engage as soon as can to obtain a deed or title from Josiah Lockard a Claimant under The Pennsylvania Title," etc.

This is the only recorded notice of Lockhart's claim between 1785 and 1798.

This house and lot was evidently the present Maurice property. Little is known of Samuel Harris or his residence here, though said to be a brother of Alpheus.

Later Hepburn returned to Milton, where he died. His widow married again, Samuel Erwin, a son of Col. Arthur Erwin, already mentioned.

While it has often been carelessly said that the first settlers were obliged to go to Wilkes-Barré to have their grain ground, it is a cer- tified fact that Prince Bryant had a grist mill on Cayuta Creek (near present stone mill) as early as 1787. John Shepard became the owner in 1788, and soon after, as attested by Indian treaty accounts, Bald- win's mill was in operation, in the vicinity of Newtown.

Every year, if not month, now saw accessions to the population of Tioga Point, and yet it must be remembered the little village for long years nearly all lay below the Academy Green. In 1792 there were helpful accessions to the settlement. It seems certain that David Paine26

26 The Paine brothers were so essentially makers of Athens, that it is difficult to decide what not to say of them. Residents of the town for about sixty years, their lives were an integral part of the history. And research fails to reveal any men who did more for the pro- gress and improvement of the settlement than David and Clement Paine. They were sons of Thomas Paine and Phebe Freeman of Eastham, Cape Cod; where the Paine family was among the earliest settlers, and always active in the history. The family was the same as that of John Howard Payne, author of "Home, Sweet Home." David, born 19th March, 1768, mar- ried twice but had no children, although he so loved them that he was "Uncle David" to many besides his own nephews. His first wife, Phebe Lindley, was a remarkably lovely woman, as revealed in letters of the period. His second was Anne W. Harding of Portland, Me., a most accomplished woman, well remembered by the older inhabitants as Mrs. Edward Averill, hav- ing remarried after Mr. Paine's death. David Paine's home was the center of culture and charming social life; he founded the first village library; his wife instructed young women in

332

OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

Dávid Paine.

came that year, though his family have always said it was in 1794. How then do they account for a paper in their own possession labelled "Blot- ter No. 1. Commenced at Athens, in the county of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, on Saturday, May 2 1792-This day Clement Paine loaned to David Paine twenty dollars."-

Among several other entries also, "Clement Paine paid 2/ for paper of which this book is made." This date is plain and unmistakable. Clement Paine Clement Paine and his brother were remarkable men, who left their impress in many ways on Tioga Point-Makers of Ath- ens, indeed! Self-educated to a great extent, yet they had unusual talents in letter writing. And best of all these letters have all been

music and English, and "Mrs. Paine's schoolroom" was a resort for many literary and relig- ious people. David Paine was the first Burgess of Athens, and one of the earliest Postmasters. He left Athens for a short time and resided in Portland, Maine, but soon the charm of "the Valley" drew him again to its bosom, where he lived among his books and flowers until his death. His obituary portrays his character truthfully, as we have gleaned it from his letters, therefore it is here reprinted: "Died 7 Sept., 1851, at Athens, David Paine, aged eighty- three. Few of his old associates in the settlement of the country now remain, yet in the annals of the beautiful valley, for more than half a century his home, his name will be remem- bered as one of those identified with its history and improvement. His warm heart and social disposition won the esteem of those who knew him, and although traits like these naturally strengthen man's attachment to life, yet as the infirmities of age warned him of approaching dissolution, he looked forward to it as a happy release, in a spirit of meek resignation." Even in the later years, when overtaken by infirmities, his pleasant face was seen on the streets, as he rode about in his wheeled chair. He became possessed of much real estate, and there are many interesting colored drawings and surveys made by his own hand. While the Paines were

333

DAVID AND CLEMENT PAINE

preserved. Every characteristic is plainly shown, and the amount of history to be gleaned from them is overwhelming. When the brothers came to Athens they were young men, twenty-four and twenty-five years old. It is greatly to be regretted that there are no portraits of them at that period. There were also five other brothers, and while their experiences were varied, they always had it in mind to embark in some business together, especially David, Clement, Seth and Enoch. David, when only eighteen, was engaged as clerk in a land office, and doubtless there learned the value of real estate investments. They had little or no capital, but one of the first entries in said Blotter was "David Paine contracted for two rights in the Susquehannah Purchase; to pay 130 dollars in December next." Both espoused the Connecticut cause, as is plainly shown in their correspondence. While David was soon made clerk of the Susquehanna Company, this Blotter seems to be the record of a private land office, doubtless the first opened on Tioga Point. Receipts of many sums of money are soon recorded. Unfor- tunately, but a single leaf has been discovered, but the names entered are all familiar. While David was the older, and seemed to take the initiative, Clement was a thoughtful, judicious character ; he advised settling near a navigable river, and where they could engage in man- ufacture of potash and pearlash, a profitable occupation in those early days. Evidently Clement was here for a short time on a visit of inves- tigation, and then went to Rensselaerville to close up their business, suddenly abandoned by David. David is at least permanently settled in August, 1794, associated not with William Bingham, but with Ches- ter Bingham, one of the early proprietors of Ulster. Having taken up half a township, he urges Clement to encourage people to come on, promising good terms and good land. His next letter reports most en- couraging sales, and he adds :

"There is no doubt, but I shall by and by through the assistance of my friend B-, be able to do something clever, - every $100, will at least make $300 in the course of a year,-I have never been acquainted with a better country for a young man of an enterprising turn to obtain property."

He suggests that it may be profitable for Clement to obtain a quan- tity of dry goods, even to be exchanged for land. Mr. Bingham was

all talented as letter writers, David's sprightly pen surely excelled in the art, and seemed most inspired when addressing Henry Welles, who seems to have been a congenial spirit. Clement Paine, born 11th August, 1769, learned the printer's trade when a lad, and pursued that voca- tion until he settled at Tioga Point, and at intervals afterward. The time spent in Philadel- phia, in Claypool's office, made him familiar with Washington, of whom he became a great admirer. In 1806 he married Anne Woodbridge, a native of Glastonbury, daughter of Theo- dore Woodbridge, an officer in the Revolution. Mrs. Paine was a remarkable woman, and a most fluent writer, whose character is well portrayed in her journal printed in "Early Times." They had five sons who grew to manhood; Seth and Charles C. spent most of their lives in Troy; and there Clement spent his last years, and died in 1849. Clement Paine was as eccen- tric as David was charming; one might give a volume of anecdotes. He is best remembered wrapped in his great blue cloak, riding his favorite horse Dick, with his head dropped in med- itation, designedly oblivious of his surroundings; or as pictured by the early pastor, Dr. Corss, of a rainy Sunday morning, going from door to door, giving loud raps with his cane and call- ing out: "Rainy day, all hands wanted on deck!" and having summoned the villagers, leading the procession to church, which he never frequented in pleasant weather. While principally engaged in mercantile pursuits, agriculture was his delight. Plain in speech and manners, he despised conventionalism, and never sacrificed his opinions for those of others, although he enjoyed asking advice and then flouting it. The Paines have been portrayed in the various local histories to some extent, but especially well in a small pamphlet called "The Paines of Athens," written for the Tioga Point Historical Society by Paul M. Paine, son of Charles C. of Troy. Clement Paine was ever a devoted patriot, his last interest being in obtaining pen- sions for all the Revolutionary soldiers of the locality.

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

evidently a shrewd business man and kind partner, doubtless appre- ciating David's enterprise. His character is well portrayed in David's letters. David had several prospects in view, "always with a thought of Clement as well as self." When Clement finally arranged in No- vember, 1794, to make a permanent move, he was enjoined to bring his singing book, and music for flute. Clement made a visit en route to Charleston, and was well impressed, as is shown in a letter written to David in January, 1795, proposing that David should thoroughly ac- quaint himself with the business of the Susquehanna Company; also that it will probably be wise to open a general land office at Tioga Point, with maps of all the new lands in America.

Just here it must be recorded that, by some process now unknown, the Susquehanna Company was stirred to new life and activity. Un- questionably the intrusion law was in the air, when this notice was issued December, 1794 :

"The proprietors of the Susquehanna Company are notified that a meeting of said proprietors will be held at the dwelling house of James Irwin in Athens on Tioga Point the 18 day of February next, on business of importance to the Company.

"The printers in the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York are requested to publish the above as a matter of public Concern for the benefit of their customers.

"John Franklin "Peter Loop

"Simon Spalding "John Jenkins, Commissioners."

The bold spirit of John Franklin is here evinced in a remarkable degree. It has not been noted that in 1792 Col. Franklin was com- missioned high sheriff of Luzerne County. Governor Mifflin not only said in the commission, "reposing special trust and confidence in your patriotism, integrity and ability," but it was at this time he granted the pardon, called by him "absolution." In 1793 Mifflin further com- missioned him Lieut. Colonel of Militia. And yet, still in the spirit of his old oath, here he is, once more making prodigious efforts to con- firm the Connecticut claim. We have no record of a meeting for eight years, though there may be some in the books at Hartford. But, ap- parently, the spirit was not dead. It was doubtless rumored that a law was about to be passed by which all future Connecticut settlers should be treated and known as intruders. And there were still many thor- oughly imbued with the absolute rights of their case. Agreeably to the notification the members of the Susquehanna Company assembled

February 18, 1795, "1200 * * being a large majority." As this was the same year that Rochefoucauld, the French traveler, reported Tioga Point as "an inconsiderable village of eight or ten houses," this great gathering must have been quite as remarkable as the Indian treaty at Newtown. There is no record, however, of provisions brought to town for the benefit of the multitude, many of whom were from a great distance. They staid several days, as there was an adjourned meeting, in fact the real meeting, two days later. This was held at the house of James Irwin, "Inn Keeper." Here is a new character upon the scene, ofttimes confounded with the family of Col. Erwin, but not related.

335

A SECOND NEW STATE SCHEME

It is not known whence or why Irwin came, but it is recorded that he built a store on the lot now owned by Walter Page, and a public house about 1792. This stood until 1875, known in its latter days as Pike's Hotel, on the front of the lot now occupied (1907) by Charles Kellogg, Sr. In the picture of the village street, 1855, it is No. 4. It is difficult to imagine this old tavern swarming with 1200 men. "It was indeed a lively meeting" (see Archives, Third Series, Vol. XVIII). The charter of Connecticut was read, also sundry statutes, acts, deeds and documents, resolutions, proceedings, etc., of previous meetings. No doubt Franklin had all the books at hand. The two intervening days were doubtless full of committee meetings, and at nine o'clock in the morning of the 20th, all were ready for action. It may be said that an intrusion law was passed right here, against the Pennsylvania claimants; new commissioners were appointed, any three of whom were empow- ered to grant a township on application of eight proprietors ; new lists of proprietors were to be prepared, sufferers appeased, all rights ad- justed ; Franklin to be chief clerk and treasurer, and Col. Jenkins agent. David Paine was made assistant clerk.

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A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 45

Author: Murray, Louise Welles, 1854-1931. 4n Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Athens, Penna. [i.e., Pa.] : [s.n.] Number of Pages: 726

Author: Murray, Louise Welles, 1854-1931. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Athens, Penna. [i.e., Pa.] : [s.n.]
Number of Pages: 726